can anyone tell me the difference between the kiteboarding wakeskates ie cabrinha
and the wakeskates sold for use behind boats. Is it the rocker like wakeboards vs kiteboards ? And if anyone uses one what wind speed do you usually use the wakeskate in?
rocker and size. the kiteskates are bigger so its easier to stay upwind on them. also a continuous rocker rather than 3 stage makes life easier using a kite
i have a cabrinha skate that i can ride upwind with but its nowhere near as much fun to ride as my LF aaron reed. if i do a downwinder i will ride the wakeskate, if i'm riding at one spot i use the cabrinha kiteskate.
(i still have to be fully lit to stay upwind on the cabrinha skate but its getting easier each time so its obviously more technique than anything).
Stamp is pretty much on the money here. Kiteskates are just bigger flatter wakeskates. They make it easier to go upwind. Depending on what wakeskate you have and what the wind is like you can stay upwind on that to. I have a custom kiteskate now which I am really used to and I can stay upwind even when I am very underpowered. The problem with a kiteskate though is undoubtably performance - it is very lacking compared to a wakeskate. If you want to start trying real skate tricks popping from the flat with your kite low, a kiteskate will often stick to the water and get no height, where as a wakeskate get a big full predictable pop.
to summarise:
If your just cruising and learning some new tricks, a kiteskate will be fine.
If you want to start getting more advanced, look into a custom or a wakeskate.
rowdy
what sort of size (i.e. LxW) and how many inches of rocker would there be in a board that would work well?
might try to make one up for summer flatness.
Well the board I like to ride is about 40-41cm wide and 113-115cm long with rocker of 1.4-1.6 inches.
The larger better for lightwind, I dont need any bigger, and the smaller with the larger rocker better for higher wind and doing more pop based tricks. Even a tiny bit more rocker possibly on the smaller one.
I think if you made the bigger size with the smaller rocker you would be fine. Although it might take some sessions to get used to. Wearing shoes believe it or not will also help a lot with learning tricks and even going upwind and foot placement for me.
Did you make yours yourself Sir Rowdy?
did you just glue and press the ply together on a rocker plate?
I want to see wakeskates in the wave comps for sure......it is the future of the sport.
Def. need to add one to quiver
I just ordered a 2011 Airush skate :) Rowdy must be influencing me...
Can't wait! Now to find some shoes to match.... anyone know who makes orange and black striped shoes?
Agree with you Stamp........and what do we get at most wave comps. here.......small waves.
No wind today because I got one.......bit heavy I thought, but will give it a good bash.
@ albos: cant remember how much epoxy resin would be but i never even bother with marine ply. its sooo expensive and once u cut it it is about as good as normail ply anyway. i paint over the ply with the epoxy to finish and seal it
Yeah I didn't make mine, it's a custom epoxy/foam job. My next one is wood/foam. If you are making one I wouldn't worry about the weight, you want it pretty much as heavy as you can get. 10pounds is pretty good.
